Gasoline dispensing pump control device



May 18, 1937.

C. DEVERS GASOLINE DISPENSING PUMP CONTROL DEVICE z sneets-shet 1 Filed April 21, 1936 May 18, 1937.

C. DEVERS GAsoLINE DIsPENsING PUMP CONTROL DEVIGE Filed April 21, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES GASOLINE JISPENSING PUMP CONTROL DEVICE Charles Devers, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application April 21, 1936, Serial No. 75,637

8 claims.

This invention relates to gasoline dispensing pumps, the primary object of the invention being to provide a device which may be installed on the usual gasoline dispensing pump for automatically controlling the flow of gasoline from the pump, to the end that a predetermined quantity of gasoline may be dispensed and the flow of gasoline automatically shut off.

An object of the invention is to provide a dei:) vice of this character which will be especially adapted for filling the gasoline tanks of busses, trucks and the like wherein large quantities of gasoline are required to fill the tanks, thereby eliminating the necessity of an attendant watch- 15 ing and checking the filling of the tanks to cut off the flow of gasoline when the required number of gallons of gasoline have been dispensed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds,

20 the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of 25 parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 isl an elevational view illustrating a gasoline pump equipped with a control device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the electric circuits controlling' the operation of the device.

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the magnet and valve Operating link. 35 Figure 4 is a sectional view through the housing for the electromagnet, the magnet 'being shown in side elevation.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the threeway valve, forming a part of the control device.

Figure 6 is a view illustrating a filling nozzle equipped with a device constructed in accordance with the invention, the cylinder in which the looking plunger operates', being shown in section.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line '|--1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line -8 of Figure 6. Y

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character designates the usual gasoline dispensing pump, and the reference character 6 designates the usual hose to which the nozzle 'l is connected, the hose and nozzle afiording means whereby the gasoline may pass from the pump 5, into the tank or receptacle being fllled.

This nozzle 'l is of the usual construction and embodies the valve 8 and valve control lever 9 which engages the valve 8, moving the valve 8 to its open position to allow gasoline to flow through the nozzle.

Secured to the lever 9 and extending upwardly from the free end thereof, is an arm |0 which moves to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawings, when the lever 9 is operated to open the valve.

The attachment, forming the subject matter of the present invention, comprises a cylinder which is secured to the nozzle, by means of the hands |2, which bands support the cylinder ll in parallel relation with the nozzle.

Operating within the nozzle is a plunger 13 formed with a piston ll at one end thereof, the opposite end of the plunger |3 Operating through the bearing IS mounted within the cylinder ll, near the open end thereof. Positioned on the plunger |3, is a coiled spring IB which has one of its ends resting against the piston 14, while the opposite end thereof engages the bearing li. Connected with one end of the cylinder is an air hose l'l which establishes communication between the cylinder I I and a source of compressed air supply so that when air is admitt'ed to the cylinder through the hose I'l, the plunger l3 will be moved forwardly and extended beyond the end of the cylinder II, where it will contact with the arm |0 of the lever 0, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawings, holding the lever 9 in a position to cause the valve 0 to remain open until the lever 9 has been released. i

Depending from the cylinder II, is an enlarge'- ment |8 which has an opening vcommunicating with the cylinder I I, the opening accommodating the looking pin |9v which is of a length to extend across the cylinder ll to lie within the path of travel of the plunger 3, to prevent movement of the plunger, under normal conditions.

This looking pin is moved to its inactive msition by means of the lever 20 which is pivotaily connected to the nozzle, the end of the lever indicated by the reference character 2| lying in the path of travel of the valve control lever 0 so that when the lever 9 moves upwardly it will contact with the end 2| of the lever-20 moving the outer end of the lever 20 downwardly and Vconsequently moving the looking pin I! to a position releasing the plunger. This movement of i lever 20 places the spring 22 under tension which automatically returns lever 20. when the plunger |3 has been retracted by the coiled spring IG.

The valve which controls the passage of air through the air hose |1, is shown in detail by Figure 5 of the drawings and is provided with an opening 23 adapted to establish communication between the sections of the air hose |1, to admit air under pressure to the cylinder II. The valve is also formed with an opening 24 which is adapted to establish communication between the air hose 1, cylinder and atmosphere, when the opening registers with the bleed opening 25.

The valve is provided with a handle 28 to which the link 21 is connected, which link connects with the arln 28 that in turn connects with the armature 28 of the electromagnet 38. 'Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, movement of the armature of the electromagnet, will operate to move the valve to admit air to the cylinder the numbers of the dial of the pump proper.

ll, or exhaust air therefrom.

In connection with the apparatus described, a contact member indicated generally by reference character 3| is mounted on the dial of the gasoline dispensing pump and comprises a ring 32 constructed of suitable insulating material, which ring is provided with pairs of contact members 33, which are arranged opposite to the various numbers of the dial, the contact members being of lengths so that .they lie in thevpath of travel of the indicator hand 34 with the result that as the indicator hand 34 rotates, it will move the contact members of each pair, linto engagement with each other. Leading from one contact member of each pair, is a wire 35, which wires 35 connect with sockets 38 yof the master switch 31, the sockets being numbered correspondingly with The other wire of each pair of contact members connects with the wire 88 that in turn is in circuit with the wire 38 that leads to the magnet 88. The wire 38 connects with the Wire 48 which connects with wire 4| that is in circuit with a suitl able source of electricity supply.

Wire 42 also connects with the source of electricity supply through which wire electricity passes to the wire 43 that connects with the contact 44 of the switch 45. Wire 43 connects with the wire 46 that leads to .the contact member 41. Associated with the contact member 41, is a contact member 48 which are bridged by the contact member 48 carried by the armature 28. The Wire 58 connects with the contact member 48 and electromagnet 38 so that when the contact member 48 bridges the contact members 41' and 48, electric current will passI through the magnet, holding the armature 28 against the magnet with the result that the valve is maintained open.

The wire` 8| connects with the switch member 52 and carries the plug 53 at its free end, to be plugged into any one of the sockets 38 of the master switch.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming that ten gallons of gasoline are to be transferred to the tank of a car, the operator will insert the plug li3 into the socket of the master switch 31, opposite to the number 10. This will place the contact members 38 opposite to the number 10 of the dial of the gasoline dispensing pump, in circuit with the magnet 38. The operator now completes the circuit between the contact members 44 and 82; by moving the switch member 48 into contact therewith. The electric current now passes through the magnet 38 energizing the magnet and attracting the armature 28 which moves the contact member 48 into engagement with contact members 41 and 48. With this movement of the armature 28,

the opening 23 of the air valve is moved to establish communication between the source of compressed air supply and cylinder ll which acts against the piston |4 of the plunger, forcing the plunger outwardly.

The lever 8 is now operated to move the valve 8' to its open position, and' with this movement of the lever 8, the lever 8 contacts with the end 2| of the lever 28, retracting the looking pin ll. With the lever 8 in the dottedeline position as shown by Flgure 6, the plunger |8 having been released by the pin |8, is forced against the arm |8 of the lever 8, holding the lever 8 to the limit of its upward movement, the valve 8 being he'ld in its open positionby the lever 8.

As the indicator hand 34 rotates in a clockwise direction indicating the number of gallons of gasoline passing from thetank, the indicator hand will engage the various pairs of contact members 33. When the indicator hand 84 engages the contact members which are in circuit with the magnet'38 the circuit to the magnet will be shorted. whereby` the armature of the magnet will move away from the magnet, turning the air valve to a position as shown by Flgure 5 of the drawings, releasing the air in cylinder Il. The coiled spring 18 now forces the plunger to its inactive position,l the looking pin |8 moving into the cylinder ll to lie in -the path of travel' of the' plunger |3, holding the plunger in its inactive position. The lever 8 and valve 8 now automatically move to cut off the e of gasoline through the flliing nozzle.

It will thus be seen that due to this construction, an attendant may position the nozzie 1 in a tank to be filled, and the mechanism set to cause the valve to be cut ofi' or moved to its closed position when the desired number of gallons of gasoline have passed through the nozzle, thereby eliminating the necessity of an attendant watching the gauge on the gasoline pump, to operate the valve when the desired quantity of gasoline nas been dispensed Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The combination with the valve operating lever of a gasoline filling nozzie, of a means for holding the lever in position to open the valve, said means comprising a plunger adapted to move into engagement with the lever holding the lever in a position to hold the valve open, and electrically controlled means for moving the plunger out of contact with the lever, whereby the valve moves to its closed position.

2. A valve control device comprising a lever adapted to move the valve to its open position, a plunger adapted to frictionaliy engage the lever and hold the lever into engagement with the valve whereby the valve is held open, and means for returning the plunger to its inactive position releasing the leverland valve to close the valve. 3. The combination with a sliding valve and valve Operating lever of a nozzle, of a valve controlled device comprising` a cylinder, a plunger Operating in the cylinder, means for releasing air to the cylinder moving the plunger into engagement with the lever, holding the valve in its open position, means controlled by the gasoline posing through the nozzie for releasing the air in the cylinder, and means for` returning the plunger to its inactive position releasing the valve, whereby the valve moves to its closed position.

4. The combination with the valve Operating lever of a fllling nozzie, of a valve controlled means comprising a plunger adapted to move into engagement with the lever holding the lever in its active position to hold the valve open, and electrically controlled means Operating to release the lever and valve whereby the valve moves to its closed position.

5. An attachment for gasoline filling nozzles having operating levers, comprising a cylinder adapted to be mounted on the nozzle, a plunger Operating in the cylinder, a hose leading to the cylinder, a valve controlling the passage of air under pressure through the hose to the cylinder moving the plunger into engagement with the lever and holding the lever in its active position,

electrically controlled means for Operating the last mentioned valve releasing the air in the cylinder, and a spring adapted to return the plunger to its Inactive position releasing the lever and closing the valve operated thereby.

6. An attachment for controlling the valves of gasoline filling nozzles having Operating levers, comprising a cylinder adapted to be secured to the nozzle, a plunger Operating in the cylinder, an arm carrying a looking pin, mounted on the cylinder, said looking pin adapted to move into the cylinder and engage the plunger, normally holding the plunger in its inactive position, said arm lying in the path of travel of the Operating lever whereby the looking pin moves to release the plunger, said plunger adapted to engage the a,oso,sss

lever holding the lever in its active position to hold the valve open, and means for returning the plunger to its inactive position, releasing the valve.

7. The combination with the valve Operating lever of a. filling nozzle, of a valve controlled device comprising a .cylinder mounted on the valve nozzle, a plunger within the cylinder and adapted to extend beyond the end of the cylinder engaging the lever holding the lever against the valve to hold the valve open, and means for releasing the plunger whereby the valve is released, cutting off the flow of gasoline through the nozzle.

8. The combination with the valve Operating lever of a fllling nozzle, of a valve Controlled device comprising a cylinder adapted to be attached to a filling nozzle, a plunger Operating in the cylinder, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent to one end of the cylinder, a looking pin carried by the arm and adapted to engage one end of the plunger restricting movement of the plunger, said arm lying in the path of travel of the valve operating lever whereby the looking pin is moved out of contact with the plunger when the valve Operating .lever is moved' to open the valve, and said' plunger adapted to move into engagement with the valve Operating lever holding the valve Operating lever in a position to maintain the valve open.

CHARLES DEVERS. 

